John Muir Health CEO Elected 2019 Board Chair of California Hospital Association

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Calvin "Cal" Knight, president & CEO of John Muir Health in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, will serve as the chair of the California Hospital Association's Board of Trustees in 2019. 

Knight, who joined John Muir Health in 2011, leads an organization of more than 1,000 primary care and specialty physicians, 6,300 employees and 1,600 volunteers. The independent, community-based organization includes two acute care hospitals — the 554-bed Walnut Creek Medical Center and the 245-bed Concord Medical Center — as well as a 73-bed behavioral health center in Concord, and numerous primary care and outpatient clinics throughout Contra Costa, Alameda and southern Solano counties.

In his role as chair, Knight will work with the association's leadership to advance policies and legislation that help ensure all Californians have access to high-quality, affordable medical care.

"I am honored to collaborate with colleagues across the state to advance policies that lead to better health for all Californians," Knight said. "While these are challenging times for our state's hospitals, we remain committed to offering consumers the best possible value — high-quality care, delivered safely, and at an affordable price. This commitment will drive our efforts this year."

CHA President & CEO Carmela Coyle called Knight a "transformative leader" who steps into the board chair role at an important moment for the health care field.

"Cal brings the precise type of leadership to California's hospitals that we need during this time of rapid change and innovation in how health care is delivered," Coyle said. "Hospitals are where miracles happen every day, but the cost of care is expensive and not everyone has the coverage they need. Cal's expertise in positioning organizations for the future will be invaluable as hospitals throughout the state innovate to care not only for patients, but also for the communities they serve."

Knight holds two master's degrees — one in health administration and the other in business administration — from the University of Iowa. He also holds both master's and bachelor's degrees from Western Washington University.

Prior to joining John Muir Health, Knight spent 16 years in top leadership positions with Swedish Health Services in Seattle, becoming president and chief operating officer in 2008. 

Previously, Knight was a senior executive with two health care management firms — SafeCare Health Services and OrNda Healthcorp — where he oversaw operations and strategy for hospitals and other health care businesses across several states. He began his health administration career at National Medical Enterprises, where he served as a community hospital CEO in California and Florida.

Other officers elected to the CHA Board of Trustees for 2019 are:

• Chair-Elect Gary K. Wilde, president & CEO of Community Memorial Health System in Ventura
• Secretary-Treasurer Scott Reiner, president & CEO of Adventist Health in Roseville
• Past Chair Richard F. Afable, M.D., a trustee of Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance

One of the largest health care trade associations in the nation, CHA represents more than 400 hospitals and health systems in California. The association advocates for patients and hospitals, promotes public health policy and is hospitals' voice at the state and federal levels. CHA has offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.      

SOURCE California Hospital Association